The frugal Chicago Gourmet

Mindy YahrCHICAGO TRIBUNE

The first-ever Chicago Gourmet event takes over Millennium Park this weekend, bringing together top chefs from around the world, including big Chicago names like Rick Bayless, Gale Gand, Art Smith and many more. It's a chance for the city's culinary finest to strut their stuff and for you to stuff your face. But indulging comes at a price -- $250 for a two-day pass or $150 for one day only, to be precise. If you can't foot the bill (or if you find yourself longing for another helping after the weekend's over) we've got four ways to sample some local chefs' creations anytime.

Graham Elliot Bowles, Graham Elliot

What he's serving: Head to Bowles' booth at the grand tasting event (see below for details) for a taste of his homemade crackerjack with popcorn and smoked marcona almonds, and the Smashing Pumpkins cocktail, made with Bacardi Gold, spiced pumpkin puree, dulce de leche and Chinese ginger. Celebrate the city's recent lift on the foie gras ban with a Bowles classic, the "foielipop," a foie gras lollipop rolled in Pop Rocks.

Not going? Book at table at Graham Elliot (217 W. Huron St. 312-624-9975) just in time to see the decor change with the season. The servers will be decked out in burnt orange, the house lights will change to orange and gold to evoke the colors of fall leaves, and you'll find cider simmering at the door. The new fall menu includes the Smashing Pumpkins ($11) and the foielipop ($5), and since the restaurant doesn't do bread service, you just might be able to snag some of that crackerjack.

Malika Ameen and Mohammad Islam,

Aigre Doux

What they're serving: The husband-and-wife team behind French-inspired Aigre Doux will take the Pritzker Pavilion stage at 3 p.m. Saturday to create their tandoori spiced salmon with fall squash and yogurt-cardamom sauce. Catch up with them later at the grand tasting for chocolate truffle and walnut-cardamom cookies.

Not going? Do lunch at Aigre Doux (230 W. Kinzie St. 312-329-9400) for a taste of the tandoori spiced salmon, served with toasted Israeli couscous ($18). Ameen's cookie plate ($11) won't make its next menu appearance until November, but she just rolled out a fall pastry menu that includes a creme fraiche cheesecake with concord grape sorbet ($11).

Takashi Yagihashi, Takashi

What he's serving: Swing by the Pritzker Pavilion stage at noon Saturday to watch in awe as chef Takashi takes a whole salmon and slices it down to salmon carpaccio, then plates it with daikon salad and sweet soy with chili oil. Follow Takashi to his sake seminar at the Chicago Cultural Center (3 p.m. Saturday, $60) where he'll explain how to buy and serve the beverage. His presentation will highlight sake from Mito, his hometown in Japan.

Not going? Size up chef Takashi's knife skills with an appetizer of bigeye tuna carpaccio with daikon salad and sesame-soy vinaigrette ($14) at Takashi (1952 N. Damen Ave. 773-772-6170). The Bucktown restaurant also has an extensive sake list. To familiarize yourself, work your way through the by-the-glass list ($6-$38).

What he's serving: At the grand tasting, Coletta will showcase Italian classics such as homemade gnocchi with arugula pesto and duck prosciutto with sweet and sour cucumbers, apricot-rosemary paste and mostarda, an Italian condiment of pickled stone fruit and oranges with mustard. He'll also host a seminar at The Gage (1 p.m. Sunday, $30) highlighting the versatility and seasonality of Italian ingredients.

Not going? Grab some friends and head to River North's Quartino (626 N. State St. 312-698-5000) to share salumi and homemade pastas, including the duck prosciutto ($5.50) and gnocchi with green beans, potatoes and arugula pesto ($9.50). Round out your meal with a Neopolitan pizza.